3 x 30-40 min interviews and MAT
Problem sheet and problem solving questions
Redid MAT revision, presented solutions to tricky or hard problems to my non-mathematician friends
Past papers for the MAT and STEP, online resources recommended by Oxford
Enjoy doing what you want to study!
Remember this advice isn't official. There is no guarantee it will reflect your experience because university applications can change between years. Check the official Cambridge and Oxford websites for more accurate information on this year's application format and the required tests.
Also, someone else's experience may not reflect your own. Most interviews are more like conversations than tests and like, any conversation, they are quite interactive.
Test taken: Mathematics Admissions Test (
Number of interviews: 3
Time between interviews: During the first day I’ve had a few hours break
Length of interviews: 30/40 mins
Online interview: No
For the first one, I was given a sheet of problems the day before, and during the interview we talked about my solutions and tried generalizing. On the 2nd and 3rd interview we were purely solving problems and I was explaining some ideas (such as fractals or integration). It is very important that you articulate your every idea, so that the tutor can see you thinking. Also don’t be afraid to say you can’t do something, as they will help you and then you can carry on having good ideas.
Mostly I revised everything I learnt for MAT. Then I was presenting solutions to tricky or hard problems to my non-mathematician friends. I found it particularly good, as it’s hard to explain a problem to someone who is not into maths, you have to be very careful and sure of your knowledge which helps during interviews. Also, I tried talking to my friends about some complex mathematical constructs that particularly interested me.
I’ve sat through every past paper before taking the exam. When preparing for MAT I also did numerous papers from
The most important thing, I think, is to really enjoy doing what you want to study. Application really just tests your commitment and passion for your subject of choice. I’d say you try to express that, along with representing academic knowledge and you’ll be fine.